Lemonis Promotes New CNBC Series on ‘Today’

February 25, 2014 by RVBusinessComments Off on Lemonis Promotes New CNBC Series on ‘Today’

Camping World Inc. Chairman and CEO Marcus Lemonis appeared on this morning’s (Feb. 25) edition of NBC’s “Today” show to interview young entrepreneurs regarding their new business ventures and to promote the debut this evening of the second season of “The Profit,” a CNBC reality series in which the outspoken Lemonis advises – and invests in — struggling small businesses.

Lemonis, who also heads up Camping World’s sister company Good Sam Enterprises LLC with its club and publishing interests, appeared with “Today” show hostess Savannah Guthrie as he interviewed the fledgling business operators, none of whom are affiliated with the recreational vehicle arena in which Lemonis oversees more than 100 retail Camping World stores.

Businesses featured in the first three episodes in season two of “The Profit,” premiering at 10 p.m. ET/PT tonight, include:

• Athans Motors (Feb. 25, 10 p.m. ET/PT): A former real estate investor and car enthusiast, Pete Athans, sunk his entire life savings into building a high-end used car dealership in Morton Grove, Ill. Unfortunately, financing a fantasy dealership left him short on cash; now he struggles to fill his lot with cars.

• A. Stein Meat Products (March 4, 10 p.m., ET/PT): The company is a second generation business run by two lifelong friends. Last year, this $50 million dollar a year meat wholesaler somehow managed to lose $400,000.

• Michael Sena’s Pro-Fit (March 11, 10 p.m., ET/PT) Michael and Tina Sena are a fitness-obsessed couple with a great little gym right outside of Chicago. And while they help clients shed weight, they can’t seem to figure out how to build a healthy profit.

Additional small businesses featured throughout the season include: Skullduggery, a toy and craft kit manufacturer in Anaheim, Calif.; Amazing Grapes, a wine store in Santa Margarita, Calif.; WorldWide Trailer Sales Inc., which manufactures and sells concession trailers from Tampa, Fla.; Sweet Pete’s, a gourmet candy manufacturer specializing in vegan and gluten-free sweets in Jacksonville, Fla.; and Key West Key Lime Pie Company in Key West, Fla.